Apparatus for knotting and looping cables for earth anchors



C. E. GRIMES Sept. 6 1955 APPARATUS FOR KNOTTING AND LOOPING CABLES FOR EARTH ANCHORS Filed Dec. 16, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l S m Re Fm W mE W74 ef mw, SN n A QN N .NWHN www www RN W www mw @N Sept. 6 1955 c. E. GRIMES APPARATUS RoR KNOTTING AND LooRING CABLES RoR EARTH ANcHoRs Sept. 6 1955 c. E. GRlMl-:s 2,717,009

APPARATUS FOR KNOTTING AND LOOPING CABLES FOR EARTH ANCHORS Filed Dec. le, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 5 5 6 Nm wmv R. m \w\ mw m mm w /W mm mm 1E @l \Nm mNf %W,-...\:-:-:-v:11--.@ IMM u -d m `x Y B .@:WWLN @N j um. Nm, @AJ MSN ...un m /II/I-II( NNNn N www uw Nw www k j. .9. l ww Y- -,-il Ilfulflu -im i i QN. MN/ Aw. @Nu mm mmv MN NW .www *Num Q mm. mw mw All Nm ww Sept. 6 1955 c. E. GRIMEs 2,717,009

APPARATUS FOR KNOTTING AND LOOPING CABLES FOR EARTH ANCHORS Filed DSC. 16, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FL. .20. 125 g JNVEN'TOR VaudeE 'r/mezs Blf/@hy @y Sept. 6 1955 c. E. GRIMES 2,717,009

APPARATUS FOR KNOTTING AND LooRING CABLES `RoR EARTH ANcHoRs Filed Deo. le, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 5 175 Z9] '1&9

I l INVENTOR l C/amea'r/mes "7 BY United States Patent() rce APPARATUS FOR KNOTTING AND LOOPING CABLES FOR EARTH ANCHORS The invention described herein may be manufactured J and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

In efforts to counteract soil erosion through action of running water, such as erosion of the banks of streams and rivers, it is customary to employ articulated concrete revetment mattresses which are laid in position on the bank of a stream or river for inhibiting erosion thereof, the revetment mattresses being held in place by the use of earth-anchors composed of substantially iiat steel elements having opposite flat sides through which are passed, centrally, flexible cables that are permanently secured to the anchors. Such cables are prevented from being pulled out of their mountings in the anchors by knotting the cables adjacent to one end, the said cables being provided with a double loop adjacent to the opposite end which is connected to the revetment mattress and which is designed to secure the mattress in desired position when the anchor element and its attached cable have been driven into the ground at the selected location for properly anchoring the mattress in its desired position on the bank.

The present invention provides improved equipment designed to facilitate the fabrication of such end knots and loops in the ilexible cables of earth-anchor elements (also referred to as dea-dmen), which cables are designated as lead cables, whereby through the provision of the end knots the cables are prevented from pulling out of the anchors under the load of the concrete revetment, and the end loops provide attaching means for attaching the cable to the revetment so that the revetment mattress will be anchored securely in place on the river bank which is to be protected, or for other purposes where at earthanchors are used for securing a tensioning load in placed location. The present invention may be said, therefore, to have as one of its objects the provision of an assembling machine for use in attaching cable leads to flat earthanchors or deadmen for securing revetment mattresses in position on a river bank or for other purposes where flat earth-anchor elements or plates can be used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for assembling rapidly and easily a exible cable to a earth-anchor plate, which cable will bend sharply during the anchor-driving operation and will straighten by cutting through the bank under tensioning stresses irnparted thereto without damage to, or weakening of, the cable lead.

A still further object of the invention is the provision or simply constructed mechanism for attaching a flexible, high tensile-strength cable to a llat earth-anchor plate for enabling the threading or" the cable through a central hole in the anchor plate provided for the cable, the mechanism forming a knot in the cable adjacent to one end of the cable to prevent the cable from being withdrawn from the anchor plate, and also forming a loop at the opposite end of the cable from which a load can be suspended after the anchor plate has been driven into the earth at the desired selected location.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of 2,717,009 Patented Sept. 6, 1955 improved mechanical equipment which permits the assembling of inexpensive earth-anchor structures by attaching cable leads to steel plates, which leads are more adaptable to a driven anchor than the steel eye-bolt type of leads which generally have been utilized.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improved mechanical equipment which enables the attachment of a flexible anchor cable to a substantially flat earth-anchor plate, which cable retains its maximum rated strength and assures adequate resistance of the anchors in soft material as well as iirmearth and which is more practical for use in soft material than customarily used types of earth-anchors with eye-bolt leads.

Further objects of the invention Will become apparent as the description proceeds, and the features of novelty will be pointed out in particularity in the appended claims.

The present invention provides improved mechanism for preparing flexible lead cables for substantially at earthanchor plates or deadmen customarily used for anchoring concrete rcvetment mattresses in desired location on a bank of a river or stream, wherein the mattress constitutes the load on the lead cable. It will be understood that such substantially flat anchor plates and liexible lead cables actually are of general rather than of specialized utility, and are usable wherever such means are desired to be employed for anchoring a load against shifting, such load being connected to a looped end of the flexible lead cable which is attached permanently to the flat earthanchor plate.

The invention will be understood more readily by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective View of a liat earth-anchor plate having a finished ilexible lead cable permanently secured thereto, the cable being shown as having parts thereof broken out.

Fig. lA is a perspective view of an improved machine embracing the features of the present invention for shaping the ends of the cable as shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 1A, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of the right hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 3, the View being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a coupling interconnecting the piston rod and cable-looping means connected thereto;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the coupling device of Fig. 5, looking from the left of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the left hand end units of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 8 is an end view of Fig. 7 looking towards the right in Fig. 7, in accordance with the direction of arrow a of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. l0 is a perspective view of the cable-looping end of the machine of the present invention, the View indicating the initial step in forming the end loop in the cable;

Fig. l1 is a perspective view similar to Fig'. 10 but showing the second stage in the formation of the end loop in the cable;

Fig. l2 is a perspective view similar to Figs. 10' and l1, but showing completion of formation of the end loop in the cable and the application of clamping means' thereto for holding the looped end of the cable; and' Fig. 13 is a similar perspective view showing the clamping means applied, and the looped cable being released from the looping instrumentalities.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral indicates a substantially ilat earth-anchor plate having substantially llat and parallel sides 17, the anchor plate 15 having center hole 16 which extends through the anchor plate at right angles to the sides 17, through which hole passes a ilexible leadcable 19 that is attached permanently to the anchor plate 15 by means of an end knot 21 which prevents displacement of the cable from the anchor-plate. The opposite end of the cable has an attaching loop 23 therein that is held securely by a clamp 25, and which forms the load-attaching means for this cable, such as a revetment mattress or other load that is desired to be anchored at a selected location.

The present invention concerns improved apparatus for facilitating formation of the knot 21 and loop 23 While rigidly holding the anchor plate 15 during insertion of the flexible lead cable 19 therethrough, and the formation of the knot 21 and the loop 23. The anchor-plate 15 and the ilexible lead cable 19 are composed of high tensile-strength and high creep-resistant steel, many suitable compositions and types of which are well-known in the art under the classification of high-strength, lowalloy steels which steels comprise a group of steels in which the added alloys are selected to impart higher mechanical properties and greater resistance to atmospheric corrosion than are obtainable from the plain carbon and copper steels. They are furnished to mechanical property requirements rather than to chemical composition limits or ranges. in this connection, reference may be had to Chapter XXXill, pages 1289-1299 of Mal/Jug, Shaping, and Treating of Steel, 6th edition (1951), published by United States Steel Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; also pages 1111-1115 of the same publication, dealing with Wire Rope. The lead cable 19 is composed of a multiplicity of such steel wire strands which have been formed into a twisted bundle which makes the cable. As the composition of the steel or the fabrication of the cable itself are not parts of the present invention, no further discussion of this aspect of the present development is thought to be needed as a part of the instant description.

As has been pointed out above, the present invention provides sequentially-acting mechanical instrumentalities for facilitating the formation of the retaining-knot 21 and attaching-loop 23 in opposite ends of the lead-cable 19,

the instrumentalities including spaced sequential units which will be identified in the following description as a cable friction box A, an anchor plate holder B, a ram cylinder C containing a reciprocable hydraulically-actuated piston, a traveling carriage D which is reciprocated by the piston, a turntable E and associated parts, all mounted on the reciprocable traveling carriage D which is connected to the piston in ram cylinder C by a coupling knuckle F. The structural details and operations of each of the said instrumentalities will be described in the following description, as well as the operation of such instrumentalities.

As has been shown in the drawings, the aforesaid instmmentalities are spacedly mounted on rigid, parallel main base or foundation channel beams 27 which have oppositely extending but similar top and bottom flanges 29, 31, interconnected by similar and equal side webs 33, the top flanges 29 being equal in size for forming mounting means for the aforesaid sequential instrumentalities, and also tracks upon which the carriage D and its associated parts reciprocate responsively to reciprocal actuation of the piston in ram cylinder C, the carriage D being regarded as the distal assembly of the entire machine. The base channels 27 are connected in rigid parallelism by end plates which are welded to the webs 33 of the said base channels, and additional intermediate reinforcing brace bars 37 may be mounted so as to interconnect the webs 33 as may be desired or needed to secure complete rigidity and equal spacing between the base channels 27 throughout the entire length thereof.

Adjacent to the proximal end of these base channels 27 there is mounted the above-referred to cable friction box A, which is designed and provided to secure frictionally a length of cable while the anchor plate is attached, the cable loop formed, and the knot tightened, preventing the cable from retracting on the cable roll when the completed cable lead is severed. This cable friction box A is mounted on oppositely disposed channel members 41, having top and bottom flanges 43 and 45, respectively, extending transversely across the main base channels 27, the said bottom ilanges 45 being bolted rigidly by bolts 47 (or otherwise secured rigidly) to the top flanges 29 of the main base channels 27. The cable friction box A comprises a frame of longitudinally spaced side members (channels) 49, having oppositely directed top and bottom flanges 51, 53, respectively, the latter seating upon and being rigidly secured to (for example, welded to) the two oppositely-directed top flanges 43 of the bottom channels 41. The top and bottom flanges 51, 53 of the side channels are connected by the web elements 55 which form the sides of the cable friction box A, the said box A being completed by transverse end members 57, 61,' respectively, and transverse center spacer 59, the said end members and center spacer 59, members and center spacer being provided with oppositely disposed holes 63 centered therein for receiving the cable 19.

The front end member 57 of the cable friction box A and the center spacer 59 are of half-size and are disposed in the top half of the cable friction box A, a lever being received in the cable friction box in the space below the said front end member 57 and the center spacer 59.

This lever 65 is mounted transversely (fulcrumed) in the lower part of the sides 55 of the box, as is indicated at 67 (Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings) and carries on its inner end an angle bar, a horizontal side 69 of which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner end of the lever 65, the said angle bar having an upstanding side or tlange 71 which extends transversely of the cable friction box A and the lever 65 at right angles with the lever 65 and above the said lever.

The said lever 65 extends externally from the front of the cable friction box and by depressing the exterior lever handle portion 73 of the said lever, the upstanding flange 71 of the transversely extending interior angle bar is elevated to engage frictionally the cable 19 between the upstanding flange 71 and the center spacer 59, as shown on Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings, the lever 65 and its external arm 73 being lockable in its externally depressed position by manipulating and setting a rectangular locking flange 75 having a horizontal base, which locking flange 75 is externally and pivotally attached to the front member 57 of the cable friction box A by a pivot bolt 77, by means of which bolt the locking flange 75 is vertically turnable by means of handle member 76 thereon between its locking position in engagement with the lever, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and raised inoperative position as designated by dotted lines in this view.

The anchor plate holder B is spaced at a suitable distance behind the cable friction box A, and is disposed vertically above the main base channels 27 on an angle support member 79 which holds the anchor plate 17 in a transverse position relative to the main base channels 27, with the center hole 16 in the anchor plate oppositely disposed in longitudinal alignment with the center holes 63 of the cable friction box A. The anchor plate holder B is mounted on the said angle bar 79 and is composed of a pair of rightangle flanges, that is, a horizontal fiange 81 and vertical flange S5. The horizontal ilange S1 is secured transversely across the main base channels 27, bolts 83 rigidly attaching and securing the ange 81 to the top flanges 29 of the main base channels 27, the vertical ange S5 of the angle bar 79 defining a rigid mounting for the anchor plate holder B.

This anchor plate holder B comprises two vertical members, ofwhich plate member 89 is' the front' member and plate member. 91is the rear, or back, member, these front and back plates 89 and' 91 being spaced apart rigidly by spacer bars 93 to form an. intermediate space 95 between the front and back plates which is open at its top and has suicient dimensions to receive the substantially flat anchor plate 17 so that the center hole 16 in the anchor plate becomes oppositely disposed to-` the center holes 63 in the end members and center spacer of' the cable friction box A. The rear plate member 91 of the anchor plate holder B is mounted rigidly, as by welding, on the vertical flange 85 of the angle bar 79, the front plate 89 and spacer bars 93 on the anchor plate holder being firmly secured to the rear plate 91 by bolts 97. The front plate member 89 is cutV away in a` curved fashion to form a wide and deep substantially U-shaped or rounded recess 99 to facilitate placement of the anchor plate in position between the front and back plates of the holder B, the back plate member 91 being slotted vertically from its top to a point equidistant with the center hole 16 of the anchor plate to receive the cable 19 therein, thereby forming a vertical slot 101 having a divergin'g entrance 103 for guidance' of the cable' 19- into the said slot 101. The back plate member 91 is braced on each side by angle braces 105, the upper ends of which are welded or otherwise secured firmly and rigidly to the plate 91 on each side of slot 101, this slot 101 as aforesaid, extending from the top of the back plate 91 to a point equidistant with the center hole 16 of the anchor plate 17 to receive the cable 19 therein; and the back plate member 91 is braced by angle braces 105, the upper ends of which are welded or otherwise secured rigidly to the back member 91 on each side of the slot 101. The lower ends of the brace bars 105 are secured rigidly to the top flanges 29 of the main base channels 27 by means of bolts 107.

When the anchor plate 17 is received in the holder B, it rests on the bottom spacer bar 93, and the plate. 17 is restrained against displacement laterally relatively to the holder space 95 by the upright lateral spacer bars 93 between the plates 89 and 91 and on both sides of the front rounded recess 99 and the back slot 101;

The ram cylinder C is a cylindrical tank positionedv rearwardly of the anchor plate holder B and mounted by attaching yangle braces 109 andv end flanges 111,. 113, at each end of the cylinder, which flanges are secured rigidly to the top flanges 29 of the main foundation channels 27. These end flanges 111, 1'13 define mounting seats for front and rear end closures 115 and. 117 for the rarn cylinder C. This cylinder C encloses a piston which comprises a piston head 119 which carries `a piston rod 121 that projects through the rear end closure 117. externally of the ram cylinder C. This piston 119, 121 is reciprocably operable in the cylinder C by injection of a suitable fluid such `as compressed air, steam, gas, or other actuating medium alternately in each end of the cylinder to propel and retract the piston, admission of such fluid into the cylinder being through pipe lines 123 and 125 which lead into each end of the cylinder from a manifold 127, this latter being supplied with such hydraulic fluid through a supply line 129 controlled by a valve 131. The directional flow of hydraulic fluid through' pipes 123 and 125 is controlled by a suitable valve 133 operated by a handle 135.

End closures 115, 117 for the cylinder C are securedin place by bolts 137 which pass through the end closures 115, 117 and the corresponding end flanges 111, 113 of the cylinder C, the latter being secured rigidly to the main base channels 27 by the brackets 109 which are secured to the end flanges 111 and 113 of the cylinder C and also to the top flanges 29 of the main base channels, as is indicated by bolts 141. The hydraulic fluid supply manifold 127 and associated elements are mounted on 6 a plate 143 which is rigidly secured by bolts 145 to the adjacent top flange 29 of a main base channel.

The piston rod 121 extends to the exterior of the ram cylinder C, the rear closure 117 for the cylinder being provided with a central hole through which the piston rod 121 passes, there being provided a fluid-tight sealing structure or stutling box 147 around the piston rod 121 for preventing leakage of hydraulic fluid around the piston rod during operation of the piston. A suitable construction of the stufling box is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings, in view of which a detailed structural description is thought to be not needed as such structure does not constitute a part of the invention and many others may be substituted equivalently for the structure specifically shown on the drawings.

The traveling carriage D, shown in Figs. 1A through 6 of the accompanying drawings, is actuated through reciprocations of the piston in the ram cylinder C. This traveling carriage D mounts the turntable E and associated parts, and consists of a frame which is mounted slidably on the top flanges 29 of the main foundation channels 27, the carriage D being connected to the piston rod 121 by means of a coupling knuckle F, the structural details of a suitable construction of which are shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the accompanying drawings. The structural details of the turntable E and associated parts will be described hereinafter, `and are shown particularly in Figs. 4 and l0 through 13 of the accompanying drawings.

The illustrated structural details of the particular coupling knuckle F found to be suitably fulfilling the operational requirements of the present construction include complementally similar clamping elements 151 which, when assembled, enclosingly receive posterior end portions of the piston rod 121. These clamping elements 1'5'1 preferably comprises identically integral castings including planar backing portions 152, one of which forms the top of the assembled coupling knuckle F, the other of which forms the bottom thereof, the clamping elements 151 also comprising arcuately recessed clamping portions 154 integral with the said backing portions 152 l and which engage the posterior end portions of the piston rod when the coupling knuckle F is operatively assembled. The recess in each clamping portion therefore is substantially semicircular in cross-section and when interfitted, enclosingly receives the posterior end portions of the piston rod 121, as aforesaid. The said planar backing portions 152 include rearwardly extending identical end portions 155 which project rearwardly beyond the recessed clamping portions 154. In order to clamp the coupling knuckle F to the piston rod 121, each clamping element 151 is provided with similar bolt holes enclosed in identical bosses or sleeves 153, which are disposed laterally of eachV of the said recesses, the said projecting end portions 155 of the planar backing portions 152 being provided with identical bolt holes 157, which come into alignment when the clamping elements 151 are assembled, as do also the bolt holes 156 in the bosses 153. It will be apparent also that each semi-cylindrical recess in each of the clamping elements has a radius shorter than the radius of the piston rod 121, so that the clamping elements 151 will tightly clamp against the posterior end portions of the piston rod by requisite clamping action of clamping bolts 159 inserted through bolt holes 156 and provided with clamping nuts 161 threadedly mounted on the bolts 159 and clamping together the clamping elements 151 responsively to tightening the nuts 161.

The traveling carriage D is connected to the piston rod 121 by means of the above-described coupling knuckle F for reciprocatory movement relative to the main foundation base channels 27 responsive to reciprocatory actuation of the piston in the ram cylinder C. As has been pointed out above, the traveling carriage D comprises a frame which includes a base plate 163 which is bolted laterally to underlying longitudinal slides 165 by bolts 167,

the slides 165 engaging the underside of the top anges 29 of the main foundation channels 27, these flanges therefore defining tracks upon which the carriage D reciprocates responsively to reciprocations of the piston rod 121, longitudinally extending spacing elements 166 maintaining the slides 165 properly spaced from the base plate 163, the spacers 166 engaging the outer edges of the said top flanges 29 and preventing lateral displacement of the carriage D relative to the main foundation channels 27 and the flanges 29 thereof.

Mounted on these top anges 29 and welded thereto are angle stops 169 which are located on the flanges 29 adjacent to, but spaced from, the rear end of the cylinder C, and which have upwardly vertically extending flange portions 171 that are engageable by cushioning bumper blocks 173. These blocks 173 are somewhat resiliently yieldable, and therefore are, in practice, wooden blocks which are secured by bolts 175 to upstanding flanges 177 of laterally mounted angle brackets 179 that are welded to the upper surface of the said base plate 163 of the carriage D, the engagement between these blocks 173 against the vertically extending flanges of the angle stops 169 stopping the forward movement of the piston rod before there is any likelihood of excessive retraction of the piston rod 121 into the ram cylinder C, it being clear from Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings that the traveling carriage D is coupled to the above-described coupling knuckle F by means of coupling bolt 183 passed through bolt holes 157 of the projecting end portions 155 of clamping elements 151 of the coupling knuckle, the base plate 163 of the traveling carriage D having studs 181 welded thereto on opposite sides of the plate, these studs engaging the inside surfaces of projections 155 and having registering bolt holes therethrough, as well as the base plate 163, which register with bolt holes 157 in the said projections 155 for receiving the coupling bolt 183 which extends all the way through the projections 155', the studs 181 and base plate 163 of the traveling carriage D, and is held in place by a nut 185 threaded on the end of the bolt and tightened against the undersurface of the lower projection 155 of the bottom clamping element 151 of the assembled coupling knuckle F. The traveling carriage D is completed by a top plate 189 that is welded to side channels 191 which are welded vertically to the base plate 163 and extend longitudinally thereof, these channels 191 having similar anges 193 that are directed inwardly relative to each other to form seats for the top plate 189 and are spaced apart suficiently to permit entry of top projection 155 of the coupling knuckle F and the proper application of the coupling bolt 183.

The top plate 189 is a single plate with planar top and bottom surfaces, and is welded to the aforesaid flanges 193 and has a forwardly projecting ledge portion 187, and constitutes the base for the turntable E of the cable looping instrumentalities, the turntable E being rotatably attached to its base plate 189 by a center turntable pin o1' bolt 195 having an enlarged collar portion 197 on which the turntable E is mounted, and a further enlarged head portion 199 upon which the cable 19 actually is looped. The turntable base plate 189 is provided with suitably disposed holes to be referred to hereinafter for receiving a turntable locking pin.

The turntable E is a single member contiguously horizontally disposed on its base plate 189 for rotation thereon around the turntable bolt 195, which is locked against the base plate 163 of the carriage D by nut 196 threaded on the bottom end of the bolt 195 and lower shoulder flange 198 on the bolt 195, these elements locking the turntable bolt 195 against the said base plate 163 responsively to tightening the nut against the underside of the base plate.

The turntable E is a flat, substantially triangular plate which is retained on the turntable bolt 195 by engagement with shoulder ilange 201 which is the lower end of the bolt head 199; and mounted on the bolt head is a cable ejector collar 203 which is slidable relative to the bolt head and which is actuated by flat bifurcated end yoke 205 of cable ejector lever 207, which is ulcrumed vertically on horizontal fulcrum bolt 209, which is inserted through upstanding lugs 211 welded to the top surface of turntable plate 188, and which also is inserted through complemental lugs 213 on opposite sides of the bifurcated yoke end 205 of the lever 207, upon which bifurcated end the slidable collar 203 rests. The purpose of this collar will be pointed out hereinafter.

It has been mentioned above that the turntable base plate 189 is provided with suitably disposed holes, which are indicated at 215 and 217, these holes being in opposite corners of the plate, hole 215' being inside of the end anges 193 of the mounting side channels 191 for the turntable base plate 189, while the hole 217 in the opposite corner of the base plate 189 is in the projecting portion 187 of the said base plate, such holes being provided for removably receiving a turntable lock pin which has thereon a retaining collar 221 and handle loop 223 for enabling manipulation of the said lock pin, the said holes 215 and 217 being engageable selectively with a similar hole 219 in the turntable plate E for receiving a turntable lock pin that is passed through such holes when in registry for locking the turntable plate E to its base plate 189, the turntable E having movably attached thereto a crimping lever bar provided with a detachable lock pin to be described in further detail hereinafter, in addition to the above-referred to lever 207 withits bifurcated end 205, this latter lever being a cable loop ejector lever which actuates cable loop ejector collar 203 on the head 199 of the turntable bolt 195, the turntable E being rotatable to form a double loop in the cable length around the bolt 195. These actions will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

As has been pointed out above, the turntable center bolt is a cylindrical solid pin or bolt which is permanently affixed through the traveling carriage D and the turntable base plate 189 as aforesaid, the turntable E being rotatable about this bolt, there being the cable loop ejector collar 203 detachably fitted over the previouslynoted contiguously adjacent bifurcated yoke 205 of the cable loop ejector lever 207, a hole 200 being horizontally spaced through the head 199 of the vertical turntable bolt 195 to removably receive a pin for the purpose of guiding and retaining the cable on the said bolt head 199 as the turntable plate is rotated to form a double loop in the cable head.

The cable loop ejector lever previously referred to consists essentially of the ilat lever handle 207, the inner end of which is formed into the oppositely disposed bifurcated yoke 205 which is curved inwardly to be adjacently disposed to and to rotate around the said bolt 195, the said yoke 205 and flat lever handle 207 being 1 aixed in position on the turntable plate E by the raised bored lugs or flanges 213 which receive the horizontal axis or pivot pin 209 which also is passed through corresponding bored lugs or fianges 211 which extend upwardly from the turntable E on each side of the cable loop ejector 207, the ejector 207 being operated lever fashion to raise the ejector collar 203 on the turntable bolt 195 and, in turn, the cable loop, by depressing the extended handle 207.

Figs. l0 through 13 of the accompanying drawings illustrate the operation of the above-referred to elements for forming the double end loop 23 of the cable 19. In these views, the widest end of the turntable plate E may be referred to as the base of the triangular turntable, and normally it projects rearwardly beyond the turntable base plate 189, forming a rearward projection 225, from which the opposite sides 227 and 229 of the turntable plate E extend until they meet to form an apex or end 231, the side 229 being longer than the side 227. The abovereferred to loop ejector lever 207 is mounted adjacent toV this shorter side 227.

The previously referred to crimping, lever is shown as a lever arm 233 which has an enlarged head 235 which is pivotally attached to' the turntable plate E for hori- E. The crimping lever head terminates in a concave end 239 adjacent to the pivot pin 237, the said lever head being provided with a horizontal hole between the concave end 239 and pivot pin 237 through which hole the end of the cable 19 is passed, as is indicated at 241. The lever head 235 also is provided with a vertical hole adjacent to the handle arm 233, which hole registers with a corresponding hole 243in the turntable E for receiving a removable locking pin 245 which is provided with enlarged collar 247 to which is attached a handle loop 249 for manual manipulation ofthe said pin- 245. In the opposite corner of the base portion 225 of the turntable E is a hole 251 which is similar to the aforesaid hole 243.

The first step in the formation of the end cable loop 23 is indicatedcin` Fig. 10, wherein the turntable plate E is interlocked iixedly with turntable base plate 189 by the locking pin (hereinafter referred to as locking pin 221) being inserted through registering` holes 219 in the turntable E and 215 in the turntable base platel 189,` the locking pin 221 thus holding the turntable E immovable relative to the turntable base plate 189. The pin 245 has been withdrawn from its receptor hole 243 in the turntable E and the crimping lever arm 233, the length of which is augmented by insertion into a desired length of straight pipe, is being rotated about the pivot bolt 237 in clockwise direction, this rotation being continued until locking pin 245 cornes into registry with its second receptor hole 251 in the turntable plate 189, so that the locking pin 245 can be dropped into this second receptor hole 251, thereby crimping the end of cable 19 around the concave end 239 of the lever head 235 responsively to the clockwise rotation of the lever. The supplemental lever represented by the straight pipeV 253 (see Figs. l and 11 for example) has an internal diameter sufficiently large to receive all of the arms of the levers associated with the cable-looping instrumentalities as will be referred to hereinafter. The above-referred to twisting of the end. portions of the cable 19 about the concave` end 239 of the lever head 235, as is indicated at 255 on Fig. 1l, servesto lock the end 241 of the cable in the horizontal hole in the crimping lever. head 235 and prevents. the said end of the cable 19 from pulling out of this hole.

The second stage in formingthe loop 23 in the cable 19 is indicated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. It will be seen that a cylindrical lever bar 257 is welded to the shorter side 227 of the turntable plate in advance ofthe mountings for cable loop ejector lever 207. This lever bar 2'57 projects forwardly beyond the apex 231 of the turntable plate E, thereby deningra lever arm suitable for receiving the straight lever pipe 253, and actuation of the lever bar 257 in counterclockwise direction as indicatedv in Fig. 1l wraps the cable 1.9V around head 199 of the pivot bolt 195 for the turntable plate, this pivot bolt being secured tightly in position in the cable-looping assembly b'y nut 196 threaded on the lower end of the bolt and tightened against the underside of bottom plate 162 of the assembly. l

The head 199 of the bolt 195 has an approximately horizontal hole 200 extending through the said head near its top end, through which hole is passed a pin 261 that extends through the hole above the cable being looped around the head 199for retaining the cable against slip'-` ping from the head during the looping operation, thev cable being retained between the ejector collar 203`and'the pin 261 during the looping operation. The pin' 261 is provided with an end handle loop 263 for facilitating insertionl and removal of the pin with respect to its receiving hole in bolt head 199i.

Asf viewed in Fig. 11, counterclockwise rotationi of the' vimos 10 comes into registry with hole 217 in the turntable base plate 189, the number of rotations of the turntable plate beingv dependent upon the number of turns which are desired in the cable loop 23, the cable being wrapped around the bolt head 199 responsively to the counterclockwise rotation of the turntable plate. When the desired number of turns in the cable loop has been reached, locking pin 221 is inserted through the registering holes 219 and 217, thereby locking the turntable plate 187 to the top plate 189. During the looping operation, lever head 235 has been locked by locking pin 245 being received in hole 251 in the turntable plate 187, so that the looping operation on the cable imparts a high tension in the cable as hydraulic fluid is admitted into the cylinder 109 to force piston 119, piston rod 121, and the looping assembly to the right as viewed in the drawings, restraining means having been applied to the cable in the cable friction box 39 as will be pointed out in greater particularty hereinafter, the cable thereby having two adjacent courses under high tension in engagement with the concave end 239 of lever head 235, one of these courses being indicated at 265 which lies between the said end 239 and the looping head 199 of the pivot bolt, the other of these courses being the return course 267 from the head 199 to the concave end 239 of the lever head 235, the concavity of which end prevents the tensioned cable from slipping from engagement with the said lever. The adjacent courses 265 and 267 being in engagement with each other and with the said concave end 239, are in position for receiving cable clamp 25 which is applied by a socket wrench 269, this clamp 25 restraining displacement between the said courses in the cable incident to release of the cable loop from bolt head 199.

The resulting cable loop 23 is released from the bolt head 199 by removing the pin 261 from the hole 200, after proper application of the holding clamp 25, and insertingv lever arm 207 of the cable loop ejccting lever into the pipe section 253, and depressing the said loop ejecting lever arm 207, correspondingly lifting the bifurcated lever yoke 205 which engages slidable cable loop Aejector collar 203 on the underside thereof, the arm 207 being continued to be depressed until upward sliding motion of the cable loop ejecting collar 203 relative to the bolt headv 199 lifts the looped portion 23 of the cable out of engagement with the said bolt head until the looped portion 23 is freed from the bolt head 199, the looped portion 2.3 being maintained by the previously-applied' cable clamp 25. Upon removal of locking pin 24S from its receptor hole 251 in the base portion 225 of the turntable E, the lever head 235 is released from the turntable and theinterlock 255 between the cable and concave lever endl 239 is released and end 241 of the cable it withdrawn from crimping lever head 235.

summarizing in a more general manner the structural features of the complete machine, the parts of which have been described in detail above, and the complete operation of the said machine, it will be seen from theV drawings that the machine is mounted on channel foundation base' 27 and includes the cable friction box A, the plate holder assembly B, the hydraulic ram cylinder C containing hydraulic'ally actuated piston 119, traveling carriage D operably connected to piston rod 121 through coupling means 149, crimping lever 233 pivotally mounted on turntable plate E of the traveling carriage assembly, the turntable plate E turnably mounted on the turntable pivot bolt mounted iinl thetraveling carriage D and provided with cable looping head 199 and slidable cable loop ejector collar 203 which is slidably mounted on the head 199 of the turntable pivot bolt, the detailed structure of all of these parts having been described above.

For forming a complete earth anchor with a cable lead, a length of cable 19 is drawn from a cable roll (not shown) longitudinally through oppositely disposed-holes 63 in the cable friction box A and held by depressing the friction box leverV 65 and locking this lever by engaging locking dog 75 against it, thus securing the cable between lever ange '71 and center spacer plate 59 in the cable friction box A. The cable length then is looped in a loose overhand loop 271 and passed through center hole 16 in anchor plate 15, which is placed in the anchor plate holder B, the cable then passing longitudinally over the hydraulic ram cylinder C and contiguously adjacent to the head 199 of the center pivot bolt 195 of the turntable plate E, to be secured by threading the lead end 241 of the cable length through a horizontal hole in head 235 of crimping lever 233, after which the crimping lever is turned through 180 and anchored to the turntable plate 187 by insertion of anchor pin 245 through the oppositely disposed registering vertical holes in the crimping lever head 235 and in the turntable plate E (hole 251).

The cable 19, resting on cable loop ejector collar 2.03 which is mounted slidably on head 199 of the turntable pivot bolt 195, is secured contiguously against the said head 199 by the tension on the cable imparted thereto by the aforesaid 180 rotation of the crimping lever and by insertion of the restraining pin 261 horizontally through hole 200 in the bolt head 199 above the cable. The turntable plate E then is rotated counterclockwise as is indicated in Fig. ll, through 540, for example, thus producing the double loop 23 in the cable around head 199 of the pivot bolt 195. The piston 119 is actuated by introduction of hydraulic iluid under pressure into the hydraulic ram cylinder 109 in advance of the piston, thus propelling the traveling carriage D, which supports the turntable E, towards the right as viewed in the drawings, to pull the cable length 19 taut and tighten the loose overhand loop 271 ino the tight knot 21 at the front side 17 of the substantially flat anchor plate 15. The cable clamp 25 is used to fasten the cable above the double loop 23, and the cable is severed adjacent to the knot 21 and intermediate the anchor plate holder B and the cable friction box A; and the completed assembly of the earth anchor, with its cable lead including the loop 23, is ejected by releasing hydraulic pressure from cylinder C at control valve 133, removing the cable-retaining pin 261 from the bolt head 199 and depressing the cable loop ejector lever 205 which litts the cable loop ejector collar 203 along the bolt head 199, thus pushing the cable loop 23 oi from the said bolt head 199.

In connection with the foregoing description, it Will be understood that while the cable 19 is referred to as a llexible cable, its exibility is not such as to enable the knotting and looping manipulations on the cable to be performed manually without mechanical assistance or y the intervention of mechanical instrumentalities such as have been described herein, the cable in its entirety being composed of multitudinous individual strands of wire composed of high-strength steel or high-strength alloy steels of the above-stated characteristics, which individual strands have been twisted together to fabricate the steel cable or Wire rope of desired gauge and strength, and remaining unaected over indeiinitely prolonged periods of time, either by tensile failures, creep, or fatigue, under actions of utmost severity imposed by extremely heavy and rigorous loads required to be sustained by the cable under extremely severe and adverse conditions of service, permanency of properties under such extremely rigorous service conditions being essential for the maintenance and security of the installations carried by the cables and anchors. Thus, while the cables contemplated to be handled by the present equipment are designated as being flexible, their actual weight, gauge, and rigidity, are such as to preclude manual looping and knotting Without interposition of mechanical instrumentalities for so doing, which in addition to expediting the knotting and looping of the cable, prevent the cable from retracting on the cable roll from which the cable is supplied, when the completed cable lead is severed.

While the earth-anchor 15 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as a disc having a substantially circular 12 periphery, it will be entirely obvious that this member 15 is not required to be of such shape but it may be instead a plate element of various shapes having approximately planar opposite surfaces, such as, for example, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, or a triangle. In this respect, obviously the structural design of the anchor plate holder B must allow for a suicient large area to accommodate varying sizes and shapes of such earthanchor plates, all of which centrally receive a lead cable as herein described. Accordingly, it will be understood that the appended claims are not to be interpreted or construed as meaning that the present apparatus is limited to equipment for providing cables for earth-anchors which are only of peripherally circular shape, as obviously flat anchor plates of any specific shapes do not afect either the structural or operational features of the claimed apparatus, the anchor itself being not directly a part of such apparatus.

The foregoing detailed description, although it represents a typical and preferred embodiment of the equipment provided by the present invention for knotting and looping metallic cables employed in connection with earthanchors for connecting a load to the anchors which is to be maintained in a given location without displacement or shifting of such loads from their placed position, is, nevertheless, to be regarded largely as being illustratively exemplary in character, it being apparent that structural details may be varied in manners that may become readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates Without departing fromV the spirit and scope of the invention, and accordingly it will be understood that it is intended and desired to embrace within the scope of this invention such modications and changes as may be necessary or desirable to adapt it to varying conditions and uses as dened by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and Wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In apparatus for providing substantially flat earthanchors with flexible lead cables, the anchors having a central aperture for receiving a length of the cable, the improvements which comprise a foundation structure and spaced means mounted on the foundation structure for providing an Vearth-anchor with the cable and preparing the cable for service, the said spaced means including a cable-clamping box containing means for frictionally clamping a cable passing through the cable-clamping box, supporting instrumentalities for receiving and holding an earth-anchor plate provided with a cable-receiving central aperture therein in alignment with the frictional clamping means for enabling the lead end of the cable to be passed through the said central aperture, movable carriage instrumentalities for stressing the cable a predetermined amount while the cable is held in the frictional clamping means, turntable cable-looping mechanism on the movable carriage instrumentalities for receiving the lead end of the cable, means for rotating the turntable mechanism while holding the said end of the cable, the said cable being looped around the turntable mechanism during rotation thereof for looping the cable adjacent to the said end, means for releasing the resulting looped cable from the turntable mechanism, and meansfor actuating the movable carriage instrumentalities in a direction away from the frictional securing means and anchorsupporting instrumentalities for imparting a predetermined tension to the cable While it is held in the frictional securing means.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim l, wherein the foundation structure comprises spaced parallel channel members, each channel member having a bottom flange and a top ange and a connecting web joining each bottom ilange and top ilange, and spaced reinforcing members interconnecting the webs of each channel member, the mechanism for frictionally securing a length of cable including a box-like unit mounted on the foundation 13 structure', the said unit having spaced, parallel, vertical side Walls, spaced end members defining a front wall: and a rear wall interconnecting the side wallsanda central spacer wall extending transversely of thev unit and also interconnecting the side walls, thev front wall` and central spacer wall being of half-size and terminating above the bottoms of the side walls and the bottom of the unit thereby defining an open space in the unit below the front Wall and central spacer wall, a pivot bar mounted in the side walls and extending across the unit inthe said space, a clamping lever mounted on the pivot bar, the front Wall, central spacer wall and rear wall having aligned openings therethrough for receiving the length of cable, clamping means on the lever intermediate the central spacer wall and rear wall for engaging the cable responsively to pivotally depressing forward portions of the lever and frictionally clamping the cable against the clamping means and central spacer wall, and means for securing the lever in clamping position.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim l, wherein the frictional securing mechanism for the cable comprises a cable-clamping box mounted on the foundation structure and including spaced side walls, rigidly mounted partition means Within the box connecting the side Walls, pivotally mounted clamping means in the box extending exteriorly of the box and shiftable between inoperative position and clamping position relative to a length of cable extending through the box, means on the said clamping -means engaging the cable and displacing a portion of the same into frictional clamping engagement with the said partition means with the clamping means in operative clamping position, and means for releasably securing the clamping means in operative clamping engagement with the cable.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping means include a lever having a head portion positioned interiorly of the box adjacent to the partition means, a handle portion extending exteriorly of the box, a pivot mounting for the lever interconnecting the side walls and defining a fulcrum for the lever, and an elongated clamping flange rigidly mounted on the head portion of the lever engaging the cable when the lever is in clamping position and displacing the cable against the partition means for frictionally securing` the cable against the partition means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding means for the earth-anchors comprises aframe comprising a front plate, a rear plate spaced from the front plate, bottom and side spacer elements intermediate the front and rear plates maintaining the plates spaced at a distance apart slightly greater than the thickness ofthe anchor plate for enabling unimpeded reception of the plate into the holder, and means for maintaining the front plate, rear plate, and spacer elements in assembled relation, the said front plate having an extensive recess therein providing access to an anchor plate positioned in the holder, the rear plate being provided with a slot for receiving the cable passed centrally through the anchor plate.

6. The earth-anchor plate holding means claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder frame is open at its top with the front plate having an extensive U-shaped recess therein exposing a surface of the anchor plate in the frame except for peripheral areas of the anchor plate, the rear plate of the holding means having a vertical cable-receiving slot therein extending, from theV top ofthe plate to a level somewhat below the central hole in the anchor plate provided for passage of the cable'through theI anchor plate.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereiny the movable carriage instrumentalities comprisea bottom plate, spaced side wall members. mountedv on the bottom plate, a top plate, guide means disposed beneath the bottom plate laterally thereof defining tread elements for the carriage cooperatingly engaging the foundation structure as a track for movements of the carriage, cable-tensioning n held' in the cable-clamping box until` an overhandv loop previously provided in the cable inadvance of theA anchory plate holding means is drawn into a close knot adjacent' to the anchor plate for preventing the cable'being pulledL out of the anchor plate.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein the cablelooping mechanism comprises turntable mounting means carried by the movable carriage instrumentalities and'in cluding a cable-looping portion, a turntable plate rotata bly mounted on the turntable mounting means, meansr for releasably locking the turntable plateV against movement relative to the carriage instrumentalities, lever means for receiving the cable pivotally mounted on the turntable, means for releasably lockingv the cable-receiving lever means tothe turntable when the cable has been lreceived in the lever means with the cable in engagement with the cable-looping portion of the turntable rrr'ounting means, a second lever for rotating the turntable onl its" mounting means upon release of the turntable locking means for looping the cable around the said cable-looping portion of the turntable-mounting means while the cablereceiving lever means remain in locked position, means retaining the cable on the cable-looping portion of the turntable-mounting means during looping of the cable, and lever-acting means contiguous to the retaining means for releasing the resulting looped cable from the cable-looping portion of the turntable mounting means when the cable has been looped and the resulting loop has been secured.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the turntable mounting means comprise an axisbolt mounted vertically on the movable carriage instrumentalities, the bolt having a head element defining a cable-looping element, means on the head element for retaining the cable on the cable-looping element during the looping operation, a slip collar on the said element, and lever meansy acting on the slip collar for lifting the same until the cable after its looping is released from the cable-looping' head element.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim l, wherein the actuating means for the movable carriage comprise aram cylinder, a piston mounted in the cylinder and includingl a piston rod extending through an end of the cylinder, coupling means connecting the movable carriage and' piston rod, and means for supplying hydraulic fluid into the cylinder for reciprocating the piston and movable carriage.

11. Mechanism for assembling earth-anchors with cable leads, comprising in combination, a foundation support, a cable friction box rigidly mounted on the foundation. support and comprising means for frictionally clamping a cable extending through the box, anchor-plate holding means rigidly mounted on the foundation support and ncluding a frame for receiving and immovably holding anl earth-anchor plate, a ram cylinder rigidly mounted on the foundation support, a piston in the cylinder reciprocably actuated by an external source of power, a traveling carriage movably mounted on the foundation support and coupled to the piston, and cable-looping mechanism mounted on the carriage comprising a turntablebase, a center turntable axis bolt on the said carriage, a turntable plate rotatably mounted on the axis bolt, a cable-crimp-` ing lever mounted on the turntable plate, cable-retaining means on the said axis bolt including a pin extending through the bolt adjacent to upper end portions of the axis bolt and a collar slidably mounted on the bolt, andV lever means engaging the collar for lifting the collar and portions of cable which haveI been loopedk around the axis bolt responsively to rotation of the turntable plate and crimping lever having the cable secured therein.

12. The mechanism of claim 1l, wherein the cable friction box comprises a frame including spaced longitudinal side members, a cut-away front member, a cut-away interior spacer, the said front member and spacer connecting the side members and terminating above bottom portions of the side members, and a rear wall member, the front member, interior spacer, and rear Wall member having holes therethrough, the said holes being centered and oppositely disposed in upper portions of the said front member, interior spacer, and rear wall member for longitudinally receiving a cable passed therethrough, a bar mounted in and joining the side members in lower portions thereof, a lever fulcrumed on the bar and including a head having a clamping flange thereon disposed interiorly of the box and also having a handle portion extending exteriorly of the box beneath the cut-away front member and spacer, and a flange member pivotally mounted on the front member exteriorly of the box and adapted to be pivoted downwardly against the lever for maintaining the handle thereof in depressed position for retaining the clamping flange elevated against the cable for frictionally clamping the cable against the interior spacer.

13. The mechanism of claim l1 wherein the anchor plate holder comprises a pair of plate members transversely spaced on the foundation support, means connecting the plates at a height suitable for receiving an earthanchor plate having a center hole disposed in alignment with cable holes in the cable friction clamping box, the said pair of plates being a front plate and a rear plate, the front plate having a cut-away recess therein for facilitating reception ot" the anchor plate, the rear plate being grooved from its top to a point equidistant with the center hole of the anchor plate for receiving the cable.

14. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the ram cylinder comprises a horizontally disposed tank having end closures, flanges at the ends of the tank rigidly securing the tank to the foundation support, a piston mounted in the tank and including a piston rod extending through an end closure of the tank, means for introducing actuating uid for the piston into the tank, sealing means around the piston rod for preventing leakage of fluid from the tank, and a coupling knuckle on the piston rod interconnecting the piston rod and traveling carriage for operating the latter.

15. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the cablelooping mechanism comprises a turntable base mounted on the carriage, a center bolt engaged by the cable, a turntable'rotatably mounted on the bolt, means for crimping and securing a free end of the cable, the said bolt including a cable looping head for forming a loop in the cable adjacent to the free end of the cable, and means to eject the resulting cable loop from the looping head on the bolt, the said means for crimping and securing the said end of the cable comprising a crimping lever bar including a rectangular head and a rounded handle extending longitudinally therefrom, the rectangular head being bored horizontally for receiving the cable end and vertically to receive an axis pin connected with the turntable, and a detachable anchor pin for anchoring the crimping lever bar by insertion through registering holes in the lever bar and turntable, the said crimping lever bar receiving the cable end through the said horizontal hole therein and crimping and securing the cable responsively to rotation of the lever on the said axis pin through an arc of 180 and thereafter anchored to the turntable by the said anchor pin.

16. The structure of claim 11, wherein the cable-retaining means on the axis bolt comprise a detachable pin inserted through the bolt above the cable, the said bolt having a horizontal pin-receiving hole therethrough, the

said pin engaging end portions of the cable being looped n and retaining the cable in position along the bolt and thereafter around the bolt during looping operations.

17. The structure of claim 11 including means for fi .is

crimping and securing a free end of the cable, looping means for forming a double loop in the cable adjacent to the said free end, and means for removing the resulting looped cable from the looping means, the looping means comprising a center axis bolt extending vertically through the movable carriage and having a head portion and a slip collar projecting above the carriage, a top plate for the carriage, a turntable mounted on the bolt, the top plate of thercarriage being a base element for the turntable, the turntable comprising a plate rotatably mounted on the bolt, the said turntable plate and base element be ing provided with a plurality of similar holes adapted to be brought into selected registry responsively to selected rotation of the turntable in predetermined amount and direction, a lever mounted on the turntable and having a rounded handle extending from the turntable for enabling manual rotation of the turntable, a detachable pin for locking the turntable in selected position through registering holes in the turntable and base element, a crimping lever pivotally mounted on the turntable having a head portion and a handle portion for operating the lever, the said head portion having a horizontal hole therethrough for receiving the free end of the cable and a concave-end for retaining the cable against the head during crimping rotation of the lever, the turntable being provided with holes apart and the lever head having a similar vertical hole therethrough adapted to register with the 180-apart holes in the turntable when the lever is rotated correspondingly, and a removable locking pin insertible through such holes when in registry.

18. The structure of claim l1 including lever means for rotating the turntable around the center axis bolt until a double loop is formed in the cable around the center axis bolt, and means for ejecting the resulting loop u from the said bolt, the Cable loop ejector means comprising a collar slidably mounted on the bolt above which collar, but in engagement therewith, the loop in the cable has been formed, a bifurcated yoke abuttingly tted around the said bolt engaging the said collar beneath the collar, cooperating means on the turntable and yoke pivotally mounting the yoke for vertical pivotal movement relative to the turntable, and a lever handle for the yoke, the said yoke being rotatable around the center axis bolt responsively to rotary manipulations of the turntable for looping the cable and being .vertically liftable responsively to depressing the lever handle, thereby lifting the said collar and cable loop relative to the center axis bolt until the cable loop is lifted from the bolt.

19. The structure of claim 11 wherein the traveling carriage comprises a4 mobile support frame slidably mounted on the foundation support, a turntable base mounted on the support frame, a turntable member rotatably mounted on the base, mounting means for the turntable carried by theframe about which means the cable is looped responsively to rotary manipulations of the turntable for looping the cable, and means coupling the said mobile support frame to the piston in the ram cylinder for intermittently tensioning the cable responsively to reciprocations of the piston and the mobile support frame.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 234,022 Geiger Nov. 2, 1880 720,025 Harbold Feb. 10, 1903 1,316,257 Snell Sept. 16, 1919 1,599,342 Muhlfeld Sept. 7, 1926 2,087,420 Wiederholt July 20, 1937. 2,391,644 Schmidt Dec. 25, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 311,156 Great Britain May 9, 1929 

